Maryland Fake ID Laws

Maryland Fake ID Laws

Two provisions of the Maryland Code prohibit using a fake ID. First, Maryland Criminal Code Section 8-303 criminalizes the possession and presentation of fake identification cards with “fraudulent intent”. In addition, this provision also prohibits individuals from lending a government identification document and allowing another to use it. That means the older brother, for example, who lets his younger brother use his ID to get into a bar is as criminally liable as the younger brother who tries to use it. A person arrested and charged with this offense can face a maximum penalty of six months in jail and/or a $500 fine for a first offense. This charge in Maryland is a misdemeanor and applies to any government-issued identification card.

MD Fake ID laws also include penalties for those who are associated with the sale of fake IDs. Those who are accused of selling a fake ID can face a penalty of up to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 for each sold fake ID.

In addition, Maryland Transportation Code Section 16-301 prohibits someone from fraudulently or knowingly obtaining or attempting to obtain a driver’s license by misrepresentation. It also prohibits individuals from using false information or concealing material facts in an application to obtain a Maryland driver’s license. For example, someone trying to get a driver’s license using a fake ID or other fraudulent documents or information is guilty of violating Maryland law. The Transportation Code also criminalizes the use of a fake driver’s license as well as retaining or using canceled, revoked, suspended, fictitious, or fraudulently altered driver’s licenses.

Because diversion is not always offered, it’s important to consult an experienced Maryland fake ID lawyer if you or your child has been charged with a Maryland fake ID offense. While possession or use of a fake ID in Maryland is a misdemeanor, the consequences of any criminal conviction can be problematic for one’s future. A misdemeanor will appear on a criminal record and could be seen by future employers, renters, and higher education institutions. A qualified Maryland criminal lawyer can negotiate with the Assistant State’s Attorney to try and reach a diversion agreement. Ultimately, successful completion of diversion could also lead to eventually getting the arrest record expunged. Diversion is often an effective way to deal with a criminal charge because it’s the only option in the criminal justice system where the defendant has control over whether her charges get dismissed. The defendant can rest assured that if she completes the requirements of the agreement, in the end, the prosecutor will dismiss the case and charge.

Attorney Paolo Gnocchi is an aggressive Maryland criminal defense attorney who has experience defending criminal cases including fake ID cases in Maryland. He serves clients in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and other surrounding counties. He has experience in both General District and Circuit Court. Some of the cities he covers include Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Potomac, Germantown, Gaithersburg, Hyattsville, College Park, Fort Washington, Bowie, Oxon Hill, Howard, Anne Arundel, Frederick, and Greenbelt, among others.

If you or a friend or loved one has been arrested and facing Maryland fake ID charges, contact Rockville Criminal Attorney Paolo Gnocchi today for a full case evaluation. Hiring the right attorney can make all the difference when charged with a criminal offense. The stakes are too high to face this situation alone and unprepared.